Talking to and Watering the Animals

I’m always amused when someone asks, “do you talk to your cat/dog/bird/hamster?” Who DOESN’T?! Of course we talk to them. Iguanas, ferrets – whatever! If we’ve invited them in to stay, they’re members of the family.

Right now, I wish more than ever that Cuddles the senior cat could talk to us. He’s back on the hydration treatment which, if you don’t know, is a daily needle through his skin to inject plasma to his system. The thing about dehydration is, it happens fast. But now we know more of the signs that he needs a little bit of wetness.

We’ve been on alert for something dramatic to happen to him. He’s closing in on 18, has lost a lot of weight, and isn’t always his special self lately. Sometimes he’s a little confused. Other times he surprises us when he leaps on the kitchen counter in one bound.

He had a complete check-up in July including blood analysis and a urinalysis. The vet said she wished her ten-year-old cat had bloodwork results come back as good as Cuddles’ did.

Frequent Dr. Visits, Like Any Old Guy Does

Recently, we paid the vet a visit again because it was clear that something wasn’t right. He has arthritis, his eyesight is a little cloudy, and he was refusing to eat the kibble he used to love. Again, it was dehydration. We all hate the needle. Derek’s holds him while I do the infusion and Cuddles thinks of 100 ways to murder us in our sleep. But there was a turnaround in less than 24 hours. So, it’s worth the trouble. By trouble I mean outsmarting him so we can catch him and do the deed.

Quality of Life is Still Good

He still jumps on Derek’s lap (not mine as much anymore – I wield the needle!) and is fairly active most days. He sleeps some days away. The vet said there are no growths or tumours or anything unusual. He’s just…fading. It’s an absolute heartbreak but it’s also part of the agreement you make when you adopt a pet. It’s a promise to see him through his decline, keep him out of pain, and treat him like the king he is.

My heart was warmed by a pal who said she’s got puppy pads behind her couch and she’ll do what she has to for her elderly feline. We feel the same way. Don’t want to eat your regular food? We’ll get you something else.

Maybe Three is the Charm

Cuddles is our third senior rescue-cat and I can’t promise there will be a fourth. We just don’t know. It’s not because of the sadness or the grief we know is coming. For one thing, I don’t want to think beyond him because that requires the absence of him. I have it in my heart to love many more furbabies but maybe there’s a dog in our future. We’re just not sure.

For now, we’re focused on this bony little being we’ve loved since I laid eyes on him at Animal Aide over five years ago. He was twelve and almost hysterical after being given up by a woman who had no other choice. Animal Aide couldn’t guarantee he would settle down and be a good member of the household. I looked into those frightened eyes and thought it was worth taking a chance. He fought, scratched, and screamed before we got him in the carrier. Then at home, he hid. And it was months before he’d even let me brush him.

He no longer tolerates the brush and he still hides when someone comes over. But he’s been worth it. Deep in my heart, I hope he surprises us all and has more years in him. But whatever the future brings, he will know he’s loved. I just wish I could tell him that that’s what the catch-and-release and needle are all about.